F-connector with free-spinning nut and O-ring

A connector for coupling the end of a coaxial cable to a threaded port, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric being surrounded by a grounding conductor, and the grounding conductor being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, said connector comprising in combination:

• a. a tubular post extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first end adapted to be inserted into an exposed end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric thereof and within the outer jacket thereof, said tubular post having an opposing second end, said second end having an enlarged circular shoulder formed thereon of a first predetermined diameter;
• b. a generally cylindrical body member having a first end and a second end, the first end of said cylindrical body member defining a first central bore and surrounding the tubular post and being spaced apart therefrom for receiving the outer jacket of the coaxial cable, the second end of said cylindrical body member engaging said tubular post proximate the second end of said tubular post;
• c. a nut having a first end for rotatably engaging the second end of said tubular post, said nut having an opposing second end with an intern/ally threaded bore for threadedly engaging the threaded port, the first end of said nut having an inwardly directed collar with a circular aperture formed therein through which the second end of said tubular post extends, the circular aperture having a diameter less than said first predetermined diameter of said enlarged circular shoulder to prevent said nut from falling off of the post;
• d. an O-ring disposed about said tubular post proximate the second end thereof and disposed between the enlarged circular shoulder of said tubular post and the first end thereof, and disposed between the enlarged circular shoulder of said tubular post and the inwardly directed collar of said nut;
• e. said nut being permitted limited axial movement relative to said tubular post before said nut threadedly engages the threaded port, said limited axial movement allowing said nut to avoid significant engagement between the collar thereof and said O-ring, and to be free-spinning relative to said tubular post, until said nut is tightened onto the threaded port;
• and
• f. said O-ring being compressed between the collar of said nut and the shoulder of said tubular post to form a seal therebetween as said nut is tightened onto the threaded port.